My Nonprofit Reviews

Zoe W.

Definitely a great non-profit organization! Sirenian International has provided critical financial support to the Belize Manatee Rehabilitation Centre, locating funding for milk supplies for orphaned calves, and towards equipment and infrastructure. Without this kind of support, manatee rehabilitation in Belize would not be viable.

Wildtracks, which hosts the Centre, has also benefited from technical input for increasing management effectiveness of Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, one of Belize's largest marine protected areas, established specifically for its importance for maintaining manatee viability in the region. Working with the local conservation organization, the Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development, and its rangers, Sirenian International has assisted with the development of monitoring protocols for manatees in the area, helping us to significantly increase our understanding of manatees in the Wildlife Sanctuary.

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As a community based conservation organization in Belize, we struggle to find the resources to effectively manage the marine protected area and natural resources entrusted to us. We compete with funding against larger, better known organizations, our limited funds can only be stretched so far, and have to be prioritized. Partnerships are important, filling gaps where we have neither the skills nor the finance to achieve what needs to be done. The partnership with LightHawk, and the aerial flights they have provided has given us the opportunity to advance our knowledge of one of the most important and endangered inhabitant of our protected area - the West Indian (Antillean) manatee.

Starting from a vague idea of how manatees use the area, we now have maps and population counts, we know which areas they frequent and where the mating herds are found at different times of year. We know where we we are going to erect 'no wake' signs, and where we should prioritise patrols against unattended fishing nets, and where we should release rehabilitated animals. With only 800 to 1000 manatees estimated to be left in Belize, and with Belize recognized for having the majority of this endangered Antillean sub-species, we have now confirmed that Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary has a significant role to play in the conservation of this species nationally, regionally and globally.

Without LightHawk as a partner, we would not have been able to achieve this. LightHawk have provided an excellent service, with enthusiastic pilots willing to make the extra effort to ensure the aerial surveys are as effective as possible. They have been professional, helpful and provide an excellent service that helps us to ensure that we have the information we need to do a good job for endangered species conservation.